Wire-fence-gate fastener.



No. s291007. PATBNTBD AUG. 21, 190s.

E. J. GILBERT.

WIRE FENCE GATE FASTENER. nrumrm nur DBO. 1e. 1905.

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EARL J. GILBERT, OF SIERLING, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-FENCE-GATE FASTENEF Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2l, 1906.

Application filed December 16,1905. Serial No. 292,033.

To all who/rt t Hefty concern,.-

Be it known that '1, EARL J. GILBERT, a citizen of the United Statesresidin at Sterling, in the county of Vhiteside an( State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVire-Fenoe-Gate Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, sueh as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the aceompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part 0i' this specilieation.

My invention has reference to wire-fencegate fasteners, and besides being adapted to secure the bar of the gate to the adjacent post of the fence it further operates to stretch the wires of the gate after the fastening has been aeeomplished.

My device is not only of novel and improved construction, but it also possesses the advantages of simplicity of design and consequent oheapness of production.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows my device in perspective. Fig. 2 illustrates a wire-gate with my invention in use therewith. Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged details showing my invention in diilerent positions when in use.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

1 is the supporting-bar of the gate, suitably attached to the fence-post 2, and 3 is the bar at the opposite end of the gate, adapted to have its lower end secured to the fence-post 4 by means of a loop 5, attached to such post. A hand-lever 6 is pivotally seeured to the upper end of the post, preferably by means of a pin 7 integral with the end of the lever and projected at right angles thereto. Pivoted on the inner face of' the lever 6 is an upwardly curved arm 8, provided on its free end with a hook 9. Attached to the upper end of the bar 3 is a loop 10, adapted to be engaged by the hook 9.

The arm 8 may be removably fastened to the lever, as by a bolt .1 1, and such arm provided with two or more holes 12 for the insertion ol suoli bolt. By this means the distance of the hook 9 from the pivotal point of the arm 8 may be adjusted.

Very little time is required in securing the deviee in position, as all that is required is the driving of the pin 7 into the post, it beingr preferred to first drill a hole oi suitable size 1n the post for the insertion of sueh pin.

Ii desired, the pin may extend through the post and be provided wi th a fastening on the rear side thereof, but this is not deemed to be necessary.

The operation of my invention is substantially the same as that of other devices of the same class. In fastening the gate the lower end of the bar 3 is inserted in. the loop 5. The hook 9 is then caused to engage the loop 10, the lever 6 being at this time thrown upward and forward, as shown in Fig. 3. The lever 6 is then moved rearwardly and down wardly int-0 the position shown in Fig. el, the downward movement of such lever being lim ited by the arm 8 coming in contact with a small portion of the pin 7, which projects beyond the face oi' the post.

It will be seen that the` rearward movement of the lever draws the hook t), and with it the bar 3,toward the post 4 until at the end of the operation the bar 3 is not onlyseoured to the post 4 at its upper end, but the wires of the gate have been stretched until perfectly tight. The eurved arm S performs a two fold function: It not only renders it possible for the lever G to be moved below a horizontal line in securing the gate, but it also enables the bar 3 to be drawn toward the post 4 in a straight line. In Figs. 3 and le the hook 9 is shown as being substantially on a horizontal line with the fulerum end of the lever 6. In the movement of sueh lever rearwardly the pivot end of the arm 8 describes a semieircle with tht` pin 7 as a renter, but the hook .1 is drawn in a straight line in the direction of sueh pin, and the vertical position of the bar 3 is not disturbed.

1n ease the wires of the gate become a little slack the Connection of the arm S with the lever (i can be adjusted, hcreinbefore mentoned, and the wires tightened as before. When the device is properly' in position, with the desired amount of tension on the wires of the gate, the operation thereof also tends to draw the posts 2 and 4 toward each other and tighten the wires of the fence to some extent on each side of the gate.

It will be apparent that my invention can be attached to a round post or post of odd shape as readily as to a square post and that no special construction or sup )ort is neeessary 1for use with posts of diilerent shapes.

I OCI In the manufacture ol! the device, aside from the means for fastening the two parts together, only two pieees of metal are re(V uired, the lever 6 and pin 7 being produced one piece and the arm 8 from the other.

One advantage in having the lever 6 drop below the horizontal in fastening the gate arises from the fact that the danger of animals `accidentally forcing such lever u wardly and unfastening the gate is great f reduced.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the use liereinbefore set forth, as there are other places where my device ean. be used to advantage besides the one herein set forth. i

That I elaim as my invention, and desire from l to seeure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

ln a device oi" the class named, the eomhination of the lever 6; the 'pin 7, integral therewith; the upwardly-curved arm 8, pivotally attached to the lever 6, and provided at its free end with the hook 9; and means for adjusting the pivoted end of the arm 8 with reference to the lever 6, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimonyT whereof I aHiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EARL J. GILBERT.

Titnesses F. A. GoULD, I. L. WEAVER. 

